Color Psychology: Part 1
The Interpretation and Emotional Effects of Colors
by Andrea Steinbauer
Colors are far more than just an aesthetic element, in fact, they have a profound effect on our daily lives and influence us primarily on a subconscious level. Colors can lift or dampen our mood, energize or calm us, and can even affect our perception and judgment. The way different hues impact our emotions, decisions, and physical reactions is the subject of scientific research in color psychology. Their results are applied in a wide variety of fields, such as medical therapy, branding and marketing, as well as fashion or design.
Artists can employ the effect of colors as a visual message in their artworks, and through careful selection, can evoke emotions in the viewer, enhance the visibility of an individual element or support the composition and story telling. Using warm hues, for example, creates a cozy atmosphere, while cool shades convey a sense of calm, and every specific color has its own meaning.
How we perceive color can vary depending on personal experiences, the historical era, social conventions, and in particular, cultural background. The following contemplation focuses on European (and Western) culture. In other regions of the world, colors may be understood differently or even in a contrary way.
Yellow
Warmth - Happiness - Optimism
Yellow, the symbolic color of the sun and its intensely radiant glow, is considered a warm, particularly lively and friendly color. It represents good mood and cheerfulness, can lift a depressed mood and enhance the ability to concentrate. In combination with black—as seen, for example, on a wasp’s body—yellow draws attention and signals danger. Because it stands out so clearly, yellow is well-suited for visual accents or to create a cheerful, lively atmosphere.
Gold
Divine - Reverence - Majestic
Gold is regarded as the divine color in Christianity; it creates an aura of perfection and the absolute. During Europe’s Middle Ages, a golden background in religious art served as a clear separation of the earthly viewer from the sacred scene into a timeless beyond. The radiant glow of gold evokes a sense of awe in the viewer.
Since ancient times, many cultures have regarded gold as a symbol of wealth and power. Still today, wearing this precious metal conveys a majestic aura, grandeur, and prestige, and the use of gold leaf can ennoble the appearance of an artwork as well.
Orange
Energy - Adventurousness - Liveliness
Orange is an extravagant color that stands out and immediately draws attention. The color combines the warmth and joy of yellow with the passion and power of red and symbolizes energy, vitality, and a spirit of adventure. Seeing the color orange can also activate the release of dopamine, the “reward hormone” and boost motivation and zest for life. As an autumn color, orange is also associated with harvest season and the abundance and prosperity that comes with it.
Red
Love & Passion - Power - Aggression
Red evokes strong emotions like no other color; it is the color of love, passion, and eroticism. Red hues are generally perceived as pleasant and people feel at ease in their surroundings. On the other hand, red—the color of blood—also signals danger. The sight of the color activates the areas of the brain responsible for attention in the subconscious; one becomes instantly wide awake, stimulating an increase in heart rate. That is why red is one of the strongest signal and warning colors and is often used to indicate prohibitions. In color psychology, red signals social dynamics, associating the color with power and strength, but also with dominance, anger, and aggression.
Pink
Romantic - Softness - Femininity
As a pale tint of red, pink unites passionate red with innocent white, representing softness, gentleness, delicacy and sensitivity. In nature, pink is one of the most common colors of flowers, which serves to attract insects and birds. People generally perceive the color as positive. It also symbolizes beauty and youth, is regarded as romantic, feminine and flirty. Depending on the context, however, pink can also come across as cliché or naive.
We have focused mainly on the emotional effects of warm colors in this article, you can learn more about the psychological impact of cool and neutral colors in Part 2.